Selenium Supplements May Increase Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Selenium supplementation might predispose some people to diabetes if they already have adequate levels of the metal, the author of a review cautioned. One study of more than 1,200 Americans found that those who took 200 micrograms of selenium daily for an average of nearly eight years had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those taking a placebo. And those who started the study with the highest selenium levels (122 micrograms or higher) saw a nearly three-fold jump in diabetes risk compared to those taking a placebo. Rayman MP. Lancet 2012; DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61452-9 online